In Memory Of

William "Bill" Staniforth

May 4, 1927 - Sep 15, 2023

Service

Saturday, October 14, 2023
2:00 pm
Eckville Community Centre

Obituary

William (Bill) Staniforth of Benalto passed away peacefully with his family at his side at the Sylvan Lake Bethany Care Home on Friday, September 15, 2023.

Bill was born May 4, 1927 in Red Deer, Alberta to his parents Arthur and Peggy Staniforth. He grew up on the family farm in Evarts, Alberta taking his schooling at Evarts and Red Deer.

Bill was an air cadet in 1942, taking training in Calgary. It was there that his love of flying began. He was able to accomplish his dream of obtaining his pilot’s license in the mid 1960’s.
After high school, Bill attended SAIT in Calgary. He then came home to work on the farm with his Dad but soon left to work at Dawson Creek for the summer. Bill also spent time working at Invermere, B.C. loading and hauling green rail ties down some treacherous mountain logging roads.

After working away, Dad came back to Evarts to begin his farming career. He raised pigs (the mortgage burners), cattle, grain and hay. His seed drill rows were always arrow straight!
Bill loved to design and build whether with wood or metal. Equipment, whether new or old, had to be revamped as he always had a way of making it work better. Many buildings were designed and built by Bill including two houses, sheds and shops.

Bill was a community man working for many years at the Benalto Rodeo. He also helped with the building of the Eckville curling rink.

Bill met his first wife, Queenie Ford, when she was teaching in Evarts after a dare from Terry Hambly that he couldn’t get her to go on a date. They were married in 1952 and had 3 children, Gordon, Patricia and Joan.

Summers saw many Sunday picnics out to the west country with friends and neighbours. Usually a summer family camping trip would be taken. This quite often included a trip to the B.C. coast to see Bill’s sisters and families.

After obtaining his pilot’s license, Bill purchased his first plane. He would go for a flight whenever he had a chance, whether by himself or with a passenger. His favorite time to fly was early in the mornings.

Bill also enjoyed curling in the winter. He spent many years curling on the natural ice in Benalto. When the new curling rink in Eckville with artificial ice opened, he curled there for many years. He enjoyed participating in many bonspiels with his friends and team mates travelling to various places in Alberta.

In 1974, Bill married Thelma (Palm) Jarvis. They enjoyed many camping trips in the summer. There were several trips in their motorhome, along with friends, touring some of the U.S. states in the winter. In later years, they would spend part of the winter in Arizona.

In 2008 Bill met his special friend, Doreen Waseluk. They spent time taking drives to view the countryside. Camping was also a treasured past time.

Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, Arthur and Peggy Staniforth, his wives, Queenie (1972) and Thelma (2005), his sisters Janet Farris and Jean Smith.

Bill is survived by his children, Gordon (Margo), son Justin Holst (Carmen), son Everett; Pat and her children, Cameron (Brigitt), children Colten and Chloe, Kelty Smith-Daniels (Drew), son Levi, Shane (Mandy); Joan (Ralph) and their sons, Gerry (Rose Marie), children Eve, Pierce, Merrick, Stewart (Chrissy), children Grayson, Lauren. His special friend, Doreen Waseluk, his sister, Alice Traill and his brother Robert (Dood).

The Staniforth family would like to thank the staff at the Bethany Care Center for their compassion and loving care shown to Bill. Bill was very appreciative of their support and of his friends and family and the new friends that he made at Bethany.

A celebration of life will be held at the Eckville Community Center on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm. Cremation entrusted to Sylvan Lake Funeral Home & Crematorium. Memorial donations may be made in Bill’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences

Ann and Brian Nielsen:

Pat ,Joan, Gordon,
Our condolences to you and your families.
Your dad lived a long and good life, but it’s never easy to say goodbye. Our thoughts are with you all!

Kyler Gundersen:

Bill was a great man and always had an interesting story to tell from his adventurous life. I quite enjoyed, and will miss, our chats when I was out visiting him and my Grandma Doreen. My condolences go out to the rest of his family.

Louis Baxter:

While I only first met Bill a few years ago during harvest; I always enjoyed his enthusiastic help, his stories about the family farm and history of the area. Harvest isn’t the same without him.

Darryl and Chloe Trautman:

Bill had such a soft soul! Will be missed by many and sending our love to your family.

Allen & Darlene Scholze :

Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. We enjoyed times we had with Bill.

Clayton Mattson and family:

Many great memories of camping out west with Bill. Fishing, riding motorbikes and sitting around the campfire. Condolences to the family.

Ken Josie Frid:

Sorry for the familys loss

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